Need Your Help - WSGF TH2Go FAQ

P-Storm · Post by **P-Storm** » 04 Sep 2008, 09:21

That was me I think, an old sentence of TH2G and softTH, when i mixed those two. Thanks that you mentioned it :)

Post by **skipclarke** » 04 Sep 2008, 15:01

Fixed that. Anything else?

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 04 Sep 2008, 16:08

"How Does it Work?" > 3rd paragraph, last sentence - there is reference to a "key to the Digital Edition experience" but there has not yet been an introduction of the Analogue / Digital Edition differences.

Under "updateable ROM" the Wiki states "The second [ROM update] implemented 3x1440x900 and 3x1680x1050". It also gave the ability to cycle the single-screen display mode to any display.

A key difference between the analogue and digital versions that is not mentioned is that the digital version provides a vastly more complete list of supported resolutions (even before the latest firmware).

Under "Can I Mix Aspect Ratios or Resolutions?": "The TripleHead2Go spans it's image across the three screens" - that should be its. Same deal in the next section, "What Aspect Ratios are Supported?".

The grammar and punctuation in general in the SofTH section could use some cleaning up.

Post by **skipclarke** » 04 Sep 2008, 18:29

Made those edits. Did the best I can on the SoftTH, as I don't know or understand all the details. If anyone can write clearer text, please post it here.

Dem Pyros · Post by **Dem Pyros** » 04 Sep 2008, 20:51

Thoughts:

What is the Matrox TripleHead2Go (Should be revised for clarity, i.e. "What is TripleHead2Go by Matrox")
Under the first section, also add that both versions can still be purchased, and the original is referred to as the Analog Edition.

What is Surround Gaming?
"This may lead to another question - " - that should be removed, replaced with something sounding more like "The Matrox TripleHead2Go system is the easiest way to implement Surround Gaming, which is..." (but a bit more refined).

In the last line of that section, the phrase of "Matrox Surround Gaming Site" should be revised to "Matrox Surround Gaming Website" for formality sakes.

Supported Games:
"Not all games support 3x1680x1050 yet, look here for the topic on WSGF." This should be clarified, as it is not mentioned up to this point as to which edition supports the resolution and how you can get it. It should be appended to something more similarly resembling "Not all games support 3x 1680x1050, one of the new Widescreen TripleHead2Go resolutions for the Digital Edition which was added with the most recent firmware update. Please look here for the solutions thread on WSGF." Obviously you can rephrase that to your liking. In addition (if you ignore the suggestion) a period should be added to the end of the sentence.

How does it work?
"....section and sends the normal size images to regular monitors. " Should be revised to say something more along the lines of "...your physical monitors" instead of "regular monitors," the latter implying normality for an abstract concept.

Second paragraph of that section, "Triplehead2Go" needs the H capitalized in the first sentence.

Actually, the second paragraph needs to be re-written. The first sentence is a run-on and the second one is awkward. Here's my version (feel free to re-iterate it in your style): "In essence, the TripleHead2Go spoofs the EDID to allow the computer to render a super-wide image, splits the incoming super-wide image into sections the size of each of your monitors, and then displays those sections on the screens. The TH2Go isn't a video card as it doesn't generate the image, and so Matrox calls it a "Graphics eXpansion Module (GXM)."

If you didn't take that last suggestion either, the period at the end of that sentence needs to be inside the quotation marks.

Revision of the third paragraph:
"To support the hardware, Matrox supplied two pieces of software. The first is the Matrox PowerDesk, which is necessary for Bezel Management. It is also a key tool for setting up different resolution modes and options. The general consensus is that the PowerDesk software leaves a lot to be desired. The window management is very limited, Bezel Management hotkeys can are inconsistent, and it can be crash prone. But it is the only method for implementing Bezel Management and thus a key element to experiencing the Digital TripleHead2Go the way it was intended.

The Fourth Paragraph:
In the first sentence, the word "natively" can be misinterpretted for those who do not understand our grading system. I would suggest something along the lines of "More and more games are supporting Surround Gaming resolutions without the need for fixes or hacks," although the last word may be a bit blunt for some.

"This offers a GUI interface to making any..." to should be for.

"You select the game and resolution, and the SGU..." should be a "the" before resolution.

The last sentence of the paragraph, the word "utilizing" should be replaced with "using" (as it is necessary to utilizing the TripleHead2Go, but not using it).

Differences Between Analog and Digital Versions
"The Digital Edition of the TripleHead2Go supports far more resolution options, than the original analog version" comma should be removed.

In the "Dual Link DVI" section, the acronym "DVI" should be added to the mention of "Dual Link" in the description.

Can I Mix Aspect Ratios or Resolutions?
Identical monitors are recommended (though not required); but identical resolutions are required." Semicolon should be replaced by a comma, "are required" should be replaced by "must be used" (otherwise it gives the impression that you can use different monitors, but they must be the same resolution and aspect ratio).

"This means you could have different monitors with different resolutions attached to the TH2Go." Should be "...with different resolutions and aspect ratios"

What Resolutions are Supported?
"Some modes with the DTH2Go require a dual-link DVI compatible graphics card, and DL-DVI cable " DL-DVI at the end should be replaced by "Dual-Link DVI" for consistency.

SLI and Crossfire
"The newest BETA drivers (177.39 and 177.92) from Nvidia don't work for the new 3x1680x1050 and 3x1440x900 modes. " Should be appended with "on the Digital Edition of the TripleHead2Go" with a disclaimer about how the analog version doesn't support these modes, or a reference back to the section on available modes.

Performance Impact of TH2Go
"will impact your fps" append: negatively

SofTH
Question: Can't you use a PCI-e and a PCI card? Or couldn't you use two PCI cards? Is the restriction only to PCI-e cards?

#5: Isn't it copied to graphics memory instead of system memory?

"Only primary video card will render the scene, so SLI is not supported. Due to the strain of the high resolutions, SLI is often advantageous. "
^That's hypocritical. Isn't SLI supported, because doesn't the Nvidia driver act as if the two cards are only one (for the layer on which it communicates with Windows?)

I may have a missed a bit, but that's my contribution.

Post by **skipclarke** » 05 Sep 2008, 02:52

Thanks for all the feedback, Dem. And thanks for providing text, that made my job easier.

According to the diagram on the SoftTH website, it is copied to system memory: http://www.kegetys.net/SoftTH/diagram.png

And, this forum thread confirms that SLI/CF is not supported. The only way to do multi-GPU is with a GX2 or X2 card: http://www.kegetys.net/forum

Any other updates?

Edit - I did move the page to: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/TH2Go_FAQ

Dem Pyros · Post by **Dem Pyros** » 05 Sep 2008, 03:23

Thanks for all the feedback, Dem. And thanks for providing text, that made my job easier.

According to the diagram on the SoftTH website, it is copied to system memory: http://www.kegetys.net/SoftTH/diagram.png

And, this forum thread confirms that SLI/CF is not supported. The only way to do multi-GPU is with a GX2 or X2 card: http://www.kegetys.net/forum

Any other updates?

Edit - I did move the page to: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/TH2Go_FAQ

Ah, thanks for correcting me.

Since it does not support SLI, it would be smart to remove the section of the SofTH section that stated it was advantageous to have SLI, as it's not relevant (if you didn't do that already).

Other changes:

What is TripleHead2Go by Matrox?
There should be no comma after "id est" (i.e.)

Can the digital edition input and output analog as well with several DVI->VGA adapters? If so that's good information to put into this section as well.

What is Surround Gaming?
Isn't FOV "Field of View" and not "Field of Vision?"

"A game with a 90Â° 4:3 FOV will produce a 16:10 FOV of 100.4Â°. That same game will produce a FOV of 141Â° in "Normal Surround Gaming" (3x5:4), and a 151Â° FOV in "Wide Surround Gaming" (3x16:10). "

Suggested Revision:
"A game with a 90Â° FOV at a 4:3 aspect ratio will produce an FOV of 100.4Â° when at a 16:10 aspect ratio. That same game will produce an FOV of 141Â° in "Normal Surround Gaming" (3x5:4) and an FOV of 151Â° in "Wide Surround Gaming" (3x16:10)."

If not for that suggestion, "an" should replace "a" in front of FOV because of the pronunciation.

And once again, "Site" changed to "Website" in case you missed it.

Once again, I may have missed something, but that's all I see on a second look.

Post by **skipclarke** » 05 Sep 2008, 03:57

You've given me a ton. ;-)

I was trying to say that you really need Dual-GPU to do TH justice, and the lack of SLI support in SoftTH is a detriment.

Other edits made, and I added a note about the lack of HDCP.

p2987 · Post by **p2987** » 05 Sep 2008, 04:26

In the section Differences Between Analog & Digital Versions, since the Analog version is still currently available (ie not phased out in use), I suggest all verbs relating to it should be in present tense, rather than in past tense.
eg. USB Power - The original (analog) TH2Go required an AC adapter for power.
"required"---->"requires"

Post by **skipclarke** » 05 Sep 2008, 04:31

In the section Differences Between Analog & Digital Versions, since the Analog version is still currently available (ie not phased out in use), I suggest all verbs relating to it should be in present tense, rather than in past tense.
eg. USB Power - The original (analog) TH2Go required an AC adapter for power.
"required"---->"requires"

Thanks. Good catch. Updated.

p2987 · Post by **p2987** » 06 Sep 2008, 07:17

Updatable ROM - The original TH2Go did not offer a user updatable ROM, and required service through Matrox.
"did not offer" should be "does not offer"
"required" should be "requires"

Cable Management - The original TH2Go mixed the inputs and outputs across the two sides of the unit.
"mixed" should be "mixes"

And, under TripleHead2Go by Matrox?, the first sentence mentions only Nvidia and Ati. But, the device also supports certain graphic chipsets from Intel. So, I think Intel should be included.

Post by **skipclarke** » 06 Sep 2008, 08:59

All updated

P-Storm · Post by **P-Storm** » 20 Oct 2008, 17:51

Did add a link to the forum post with supported displays.

Widescreen Gaming Forum